Skandia, Yendys, line honours and IMS favourite lead

by Rob Kothe on 26 Dec 2003 The line honours favourite Skandia outsailed the fleet. Starting near the committee boat, she beam reached along the spectator fleet, on the eastern side of the harbour locking Zana into second place.

Starting at the pin Grundig looked threateningly fast but had spinnaker problems and Nicorette and Brindabella sailed inside her to beat her to the X mark between the heads.

Outside the heads, Grundig not having the best of days, had tacked back towards Bondi early.

An hour into the race, the fleet has split in two as the skippers stay with the opposition.

Well seawards Skandia, looks fast as she leads Zana with Nicorette third, then Brindabella, Zaraffa, then the four Volvo 60’s Seriously Ten, Nokia, formula1sailing and Andrew Short Marine.

It was noticeable that Skandia was much cleaner moving through the spectator wash than Zana and looks every inch a winner, even at this early stage.

Close on the coast is IMS handicap favourite Geoff Ross’ 52 footer Yendys, leading Ichi Ban, Dysons Cobb & Co (97), last year’s winner Quest, Icefire, Ragamuffin, Bounder and Loki.

There are now 56 boats racing south as Geoff Hill’s Strewth did not make the start line, with starter motor problems.